Thursday, February 07, 2008

Blasphemy 101

George W. Bush spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast this morning. [Full text at the official White House site here.]

That he could stand up and say what he said without the earth opening up to swallow him is a reasonable instance for a case against either the justice or existence of God, but I am a person of faith who believes in God nonetheless.

Abu Ghraib

In prayer, we also grow in boldness and courage. The more time we spend with God, the more we see that He is not a distant king, but a loving Father. Inspired by this confidence, we approach Him with bold requests: We ask Him to heal the sick, and comfort the dying, and sustain those who care for them. We ask Him to bring solace to the victims of tragedy, and help to those suffering from addiction and adversity. We ask him to strengthen our families, and to protect the innocent and vulnerable in our country. We ask Him to protect our nation from those who wish us harm -- and watch over all who stepped forward to defend us. We ask Him to bring about the day when His peace shall reign across the world -- and every tear shall be wiped away.

Godde forbid we as a nation should try to heal the sick or help the suffering. By all mean toss that football to God. We'll veto that S-CHIP bill because in caring for many children an occasional adult might get health care too and we don't want that. And let's not talk of the feds doing much that is timely or effective for the victims of Katrina because solace to victims of tragedy is God's job. Asshat.

[Multiple other expletives deleted.]

In prayer, we grow in mercy and compassion. We are reminded in prayer that we are all fallen creatures in need of mercy. And in seeking God's mercy, we grow in mercy ourselves. Experiencing the presence of God transforms our hearts -- and the more we seek His presence, the more we feel the tug at our souls to reach out to the poor, and the hungry, the elderly, and the infirm. When we answer God's call to love a neighbor as ourselves, we enter into a deeper friendship with our fellow man -- and a deeper relationship with our eternal Father.

Can you imagine George W. Bush talking about compassion? As the Rude Pundit wrote today: Bush Prays, Jesus Pukes. [If extremely vulgar language offends you, do not click on any links to the Rude Pundit.]

The man who authorized slow drowning talks of compassion. The lawless, lying tyrant who launched an illegal and immoral preemptive war has the nerve to speak of peace.

We ask Him to bring about the day when His peace shall reign across the world -- and every tear shall be wiped away.

Believe, me George, you corrupt, cruel, incompetent, vain little man with the huge sense of entitlement and righteousness, there would have been fewer tears on earth without you and many will weep with joy when you leave office.

For millennia people have besought the gods for deliverance from tyrants. I follow in that honorable tradition.--the BB

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The views expressed on this blog are solely those of the blogger and do not represent the positions of any group or organization with which he may be affiliated. As one who spent decades stuffing down his opinions and emotions, I am inclined to cut loose here, which I believe is healthy, honest, and part of the process of sanctification in the long run. Politics and spirituality mingle freely here, along with theatre reviews, photography, and passionate talk about food, literature, and the human journey. If anything written here offends you, please find other blogs to read. I am here to share, not to do battle.